Status of School Education in India: Progress, Challenges, and the Road to Universal Education by 2030 (2024)

India has made remarkable strides in expanding access to education over the past decades, driven by ambitious policies and targeted programs like the Right to Education (RTE) Act, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, achieving the goal of universal school education by 2030 requires addressing critical challenges in enrollment, retention, and dropout rates, especially at secondary and higher secondary levels. This article critically examines these indicators and their implications for achieving equitable and inclusive education.

• Measuring Education Performance in India and Suggestions for Improvement
• Indian Education System: Issues and Challenges
• Education for All Initiatives to Improve Access and Quality of Education in India

This article draws from UDISEPlus data for the 2021-22 academic year, with figures recorded as of September 30, 2021. While states now have access to data from 2022-23 and 2023-24, the Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy has not yet made this more recent data public. Therefore, the current situation may differ significantly from what is presented here.

 

Key Indicators of School Education

Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER)

GER measures total student enrollment at a specific level as a percentage of the population in the corresponding age group.

Primary Level (Classes I-V): GER exceeds 100 percent in many states, reflecting overage and underage enrolments due to late admissions or grade repetitions.

Secondary Level (Classes IX-X): The national GER is 79 percent, with states like Kerala (98 percent) and Tamil Nadu (91 percent) leading, while Bihar (57 percent) and Uttar Pradesh (62 percent) lag behind.

 

Higher Secondary Level (Classes XI-XII): GER drops to 57 percent, with significant state-wise variations.

State/UT	GER (Secondary)	GER (Higher Secondary)
India (National)	79%	57%
Kerala	98%	83%
Tamil Nadu	91%	74%
Bihar	57%	42%
Uttar Pradesh	62%	45%

Net Enrollment Ratio (NER) and Adjusted NER (ANER)

• NER reflects the percentage of students in the official age group enrolled at the corresponding education level.
  • Primary NER is above 93% nationally but declines to 61% at the secondary level, highlighting transition issues.
• ANER, which includes age-appropriate students enrolled at any level, shows higher figures (~97% at the primary level) but decreases in secondary education.

Drop-out and Retention Trends

Dro-pout Rates

Drop-out rates are critical indicators of systemic inefficiencies and socio-economic barriers.

Primary Level: Dropout rates are low (1.5 percent) due to effective foundational policies.

Upper Primary Level (Classes VI-VIII): Dropouts increase to ~4.5 percent, signalling challenges in retention.

Secondary Level (Classes IX-X): The dropout rate rises sharply to 15 percent, reflecting transition gaps, economic pressures, and gender disparities.

Higher Secondary Level (Classes XI-XII): Dropout rates exceed 17 percent, exacerbated by early marriage, child labour, and limited vocational options.

Level	Dropout Rate (India)	Highest State	Lowest State
Primary	1.5%	Uttar Pradesh (3.8%)	Kerala (0.5%)
Upper Primary	4.5%	Bihar (6.2%)	Himachal (1.3%)
Secondary	15%	Assam (18.7%)	Tamil Nadu (7.9%)
Higher Secondary	17%	Rajasthan (20.5%)	Kerala (9.8%)

Retention Rates

Retention rates indicate the system’s capacity to keep students engaged across levels.

Primary Level: Retention rates are high (92 percent), showcasing near-universal coverage.

Elementary Level (Classes I-VIII): Rates decline to ~75 percent, with significant attrition in upper primary grades.

Secondary Level: Retention rates fall further to ~59 percent, underlining systemic gaps and socio-economic challenges.

Challenges in School Education

1. Economic and Social Inequities: Marginalized groups, including SCs, STs, OBCs, and Muslims, face higher dropout rates due to poverty, discrimination, and limited access to quality education.
2. Gender Disparities: Girls, particularly in rural areas, face early marriage, domestic responsibilities, and inadequate school infrastructure, leading to lower retention and higher dropout rates.
3. Infrastructure Deficits: The lack of secondary schools, poor sanitation facilities, and inadequate digital access in rural areas hinder enrollment and retention.
4. Transition Gaps: The sharp decline in enrollment and retention during transitions from primary to upper primary and secondary education highlights systemic weaknesses.
5. Quality of Education: Poor teacher training, large pupil-teacher ratios, and outdated curricula result in disengaged students and poor learning outcomes.

Policy Recommendations

To achieve universal school education by 2030, India must address these systemic challenges through targeted interventions:

1. Improve Retention Mechanisms: Provide financial incentives, scholarships, and free transportation to reduce dropouts among vulnerable groups.
2. Expand Infrastructure: Increase the number of secondary and higher secondary schools, especially in underserved areas.
3. Enhance Teacher Quality: Invest in teacher training, professional development, and the adoption of innovative teaching methodologies.
4. Promote Gender Equality: Implement gender-sensitive policies, including separate sanitation facilities, awareness campaigns, and programs to prevent early marriage.
5. Introduce Vocational Education: Align secondary education with skill development to make it more relevant and attractive.
6. Strengthen Transition Support: Develop bridging programs to support students during transitions between educational levels.

Concluding Observations

India’s progress in achieving near-universal enrollment at the primary level is commendable, but the high dropout rates and declining retention beyond elementary education pose significant challenges. Addressing the issues requires a holistic approach that strengthens systemic capacity, reduces inequities, and ensures quality education for all. The NEP 2020 provides a transformative framework, but its success depends on practical implementation, sustained investments, and community participation. With concerted efforts, India can achieve the goal of universal school education by 2030, fostering an equitable and inclusive society.

References

1. UDISE+ Reports: https://udiseplus.gov.in/#/en/page/publications
2. Ministry of Education, Government of India: National Education Policy 2020.
3. Census of India and NSSO Data on Education.
4. Research Papers on Dropout and Retention Trends in India.

FAQs on School Education in India

1. What progress has India made in school education since independence?

Since independence, India has made impressive progress in expanding access to education. Initiatives like the Right to Education Act (2009), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, & the National Education Policy (2020) have helped improve enrollment rates, literacy levels, and school infrastructure nationwide.

2. What is the Right to Education (RTE) Act, and how has it impacted school education?

The RTE Act, enacted in 2009, mandates free & compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14 years. It has increased enrollment and reduced dropout rates, particularly among marginalized communities. However, challenges like teacher shortages and infrastructure gaps remain.

3. What significant challenges does school education in India face?

Key challenges include:

• Quality of Education: Low learning outcomes despite high enrollment.
• Infrastructure: Inadequate facilities such as classrooms, toilets, and drinking water.
• Teacher Availability: Shortages and untrained teachers.
• Equity: Disparities in access to education among rural, urban, and marginalized groups.

4. What is the goal of universal education in India by 2030?

India aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on inclusive, equitable, and quality education; this includes ensuring universal literacy, reducing gender and regional disparities, and enhancing learning outcomes by 2030.

5. How has the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 influenced school education?

The National Education Policy 2020 aims to overhaul the education system by:

• Introducing a new five+three+three+four curricular structure.
• Emphasizing foundational literacy and numeracy.
• Promoting experiential learning, digital education, and multilingualism.
• Targeting a 100% Gross Enrollment Ratio by 2030 for school education.

6. What steps has the government taken to address educational inequality?

Key initiatives include:

• Scholarships and midday meal schemes for underprivileged children.
• Targeted programs for girl child education like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
• Focus on tribal, rural, and remote area education under schemes like Eklavya Model Schools.

7. How has technology been integrated into school education in India?

Programs like DIKSHA, e-Pathshala, and PM e-Vidya have promoted digital and online learning. Efforts have been made to bridge the digital divide, though accessibility challenges persist in rural areas.

8. What role do private schools play in India’s education system?

Private schools cater to many students, especially in urban areas, and are often perceived to offer better quality education. However, they also contribute to inequality due to higher costs.

9. How are dropout rates being addressed?

Dropout rates are tackled through:

• Community awareness programs.
• The RTE Act’s provisions against child labour.
• Midday meals to incentivize attendance.
• Efforts to track and re-enrol out-of-school children.

10. What key reforms are needed to achieve universal education by 2030?

Reforms include:

• Enhancing teacher training and recruitment.
• Improving infrastructure and digital access.
• Strengthening public-private partnerships.
• Expanding early childhood education and vocational training

Education for All in India